Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-03-07
TIE GAZETTE" Quilted.
The Pioneer Journal of Davenport
Completely Burned Out.
A Destructive Fire this Morning.
The Loss and Insurance--Ciose Call
for the Mails.

The Davenport Gazette block located
on Third street, east of Perry. was en-
tirely Quilted by fire at an early hour this
morning, entailing an irreparable loss and
cutting down paper which after many
years of adversely and continuous re-
verses had just began to get solid foot
hold again, and to see the light of pros
perity. The loss is almost total one.
and only by prompt and decisive action of
the fire department was the postoffice ad
joining the Gazette property saved from
destruction
At 100 this morning a gentleman
passing along on the opposite side of the
street from the Gazette building, observed
flames and smoke pouring out of the
second story WINDOWS. lie Immediately
rushed across the street and Informed
the engineer, VIM. Lenhart, that the
VINO wi
hurried to alarm box 26 at the postoff flee
corner, and Chief StrathmsR and
two hose comranies and hook and
ladder truck were at the scene in less
than two minutes. The chief realized
| the situation in an instant, AID ordered a
second alarm which brought out the re-
mainder Of the paid department. The
| fremen went to work with will, an
extra pressure of water was turned on,
but the fire fend had already gained
great headway, as the flames were fast
tapping up the building and contents.
A great column of smoke assembled which
was witnessed from this side of the
river, and il was evident that unless
speedy action was taken. the postofice
would also suffer The fire spread to the
roof of the postoffice building. and eff
forts of the firemen were directed to saw
ing this property, and it was soaked with
water
The nremen fought the flames in tie
Gazette building bravely but vsinly TIE
floor seemed to burn like paper, and the
roof and floors and partition walls were
entirely destroyed. The type cases in the
news room in the third story were ruined,
as was the type and large quantity of
other printing Office appliances. On the
second floor, the editorial rooms and pr,
vate sanctum, so long occupied by Ed
ward Russell, were completely wrecked.
The business Office and press room on
the ground floor were damaged by water
where the fire failed TO get liz its destruc-
tive work
The fire seems to have originated in an
unoccupied room on the second floor,
back Of the editorial rooms. This room
had formerly been used for the job de-
partment. but when the Job business was
sold the presses, etc, were moved into a
building adjoining. There is a mystery
surrounding the cause. There was nc
one about the building last night except
the engineer who attended the electric
dynamo in the engiue room. The flames
may have had origin in a spark from the
stack blowing into the Window and
lighting on the floor which was saturated
with oil and ink
The building Is owned by the Daver
port Real Estate and Building company
and is damaged to the extent of $4,000
The Gazette loss is 81 900; other damage
will bring the total up to $4,000. Tn,
building wss insured for $3.50, and tn,
Gazette had So. $50 on material and SIS, 00j
on press and machinery. The Gazett
is st present owned by Clair D. Valette
late of Chicago, who is manager, Will
Thos. 0 Thompson is editor. Gen. ADJ
Sanders, the veteran journalist. assumed
charge of the local columns of the pape
] this morning. The mails in the postofic
{ were TANNED into sacks and hustled gu
into the street and squad of policemen
detailed to guard them. The mail matte
{ was thus saved from destruction by water
The $1,000 double cylinder press wa
not injured, but one Of the folders wa
destroyed. The dynamo of the Edisol
Electric Light company, located in tn
4 engine room of the Gazette building wa
; preserved
The Gazette will not suspend, but issu
tomorrow morning. and until the buildin
j is put in shape, from the Office of the Da
i venport Daily Times on Front street.